By Lt. j.g. Douglas Kroh, USS Cole Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG
67) departed Naval Station Norfolk today, on a deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet
area of responsibility.
After transiting the Atlantic Ocean, Cole will enter the
Mediterranean Sea and surrounding waters to conduct maritime operations and
strengthen partner nations' maritime capabilities, promoting a secure maritime
environment.
"It is an honor to command Cole as we set sail,"
said Cmdr. Dennis Farrell, the ship's commanding officer. "The men and
women who make up the crew of Cole are this nation's best and brightest and
they have answered the call to serve America, protect the nation's security and
carry out the maritime strategy."
Cole returned from her last deployment in January 2013.
Between maintenance periods, the crew was underway for certification exercises,
participation in the NATO exercise Joint Warrior and Fleet Week New York
earlier this year.
"The history of this ship carries great weight,"
said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Bradley Dowden. "We are all proud to carry
it into the world. Showing her off gives me a great sense of personal
pride."
The ship was commissioned June 8, 1996, and is named after
U.S. Marine Sgt. Darrell Samuel Cole, who received the Medal of Honor for his
"conspicuous gallantry" at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War
II.
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